Padding unit



April 18, 1961 w. s. COOK ET AL PADDING UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov.7. 1956 INVENTORS. Way 6 5. 500% HQANK J HOQMUTH April 18, 1961 w. s.cooK ET AL PADDING UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. '7. 1956 INVENTORS.Way/7e j (00% EQANK J Hoemuru BY @m C? M! United States Patent PADDINGUNIT Wayne S. Cook and Frank J. Hormuth, Grand Rapids, Mich.; said Cookassignor to Sackner Products, Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich.

Filed Nov. 7, 1956, Ser. No. 620,888

Claims. (Cl. 15453.6)

This invention relates to improvements in padding units.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a padding unit which is highly resilient and may behandled and applied as a unit in various relations to upholstery, in thelining of motor vehicles and in various other relations.

Second, to provide a padding unit having these advantages orcharacteristics which while maintaining its shape generally may beflexed and curved to adapt the same to widely varying shapes andconditions in the upholstered part.

Third, to provide a method of manufacture which enables the rapid,economical and uniform production of -upholstery material having theabove specified advantages.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appearfrom the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed outin the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view largely diagrammatic illustrating an apparatus forpracticing the first step of the method of our invention.

Fig. 2 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary section on a linecorresponding to line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary transverse section on a line corresponding toline 3-3 of Fig. 1, the supporting strip being extended beyond the battto illustrate the general relation of the batt thereto.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of an apparatus for the application ofthe covering to the material shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in section on a line corresponding to line55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section on a line corresponding to line 66 ofFig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a transverse section on a line corresponding.

to line 7-7 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of one form of the padding unitembodying our invention as produced by the steps and apparatus of thepreviously described figures.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified form orembodiment of our invention.

It will be understood that in the accompanying drawings the variousparts of the apparatus for performing the steps of the method of ourinvention are illustrated conventionally. Also, that the materialsconstituting the padding unit of our invention are more or lessconventionally illustrated and not shown in relative proportions asowing to the character thereof it is not practical to do so as will beapparent from the following description.

In the accompanying drawing 1 represents a preferred form or embodimentof our padding unit and it should be understood that it is produced inlong strips which are commonly merchandized in rolls adapted to be cut,ofi or sectioned to meet the particular uses.

Patented Apr. 18, 1961 In this preferred embodiment the resilient batt 2is made up of approximately 80% cotton linters and 20% thread waste.This material is mixed and garnetted into a batt. The batt issuperimposed upon a strip of crinkled paper, preferably kraft paper 3,and bonded thereto by adhesive indicated at 4 in Figs. 2 and 3. A

adhesive applying roller.

light film of adhesive 5 is applied to the opposite side of the batt,that is, opposite to which the strip 3 is secured. The strip 3 isarranged with the crinkles thereof extending transversely of the batt. Acovering 6 is wrapped around the batt and its supporting strip with itsedges 7 disposed in overlapping relation and adhesively bonded together.In applying the covering the batt is desirably conformed to provide acrowned outer surface.

It will be understood that in Fig. 8 the unit is show in invertedposition. The embodiment shown in Fig. 9 is designed for use where athicker or stronger padding is desired and it is made up of two of theelements 'shown in Fig. 3 superimposed one upon the other prior to theapplication of the covering thereto. The second supporting strip greatlyreinforces the padding unit and enables the production of padding unitsof substantial thickness and having sufficient strength to withstandcareless or rough usage in installing or other handling. The outer wrapmay desirably be of creped paper as indicated although the supportingstrip functions effectively in supporting the batt which is uniformlysecured thereto.

The application of the adhesive 5 to the upper surface of the batt doesnot affect its resiliency but does hold the fibers together for handlingand prevents substantial creeping in use.

In Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive we illustrate a highly practical method ofproducing the padding units of our invention. Referring to Fig. 1, thenumeral 8 represents a batt forming apparatus with the batt 2 dischargedtherefrom as by the conveyor 9 and delivered upon the web of crinkledpaper 10 of substantial width, a roll of this paper being indicated at11. Adhesive 4 is applied thereto by means of the roller 12 rotating inthe tank or trough of adhesive 13 and a guide roller 14 being providedhold the web of paper in contact with the The web is then passed overthe guide and compression roller 15 onto the conveyor 16. Thepressureroller 17 is disposed in opposed relation to the roller 15 tocompress the batt prior to its delivery to the conveyor 16.

At the rear of the pressure roller is an adhesive applying sprayer 117which applies adhesive to the upper surface of the batt prior to itspassage through the oven or drying chamber 18 which sets the adhesiveconnecting the batt to the supporting strip and also dries the adhesivefilm 5. The material is discharged from the oven or drying chamber as isillustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

From the conveyor 16 the supporting web with the batt thereon is carriedbetween the guide rollers 19 to the slitter 20 which cuts the relativelywide web of combined batt and supporting web into strips which passbetween the guide rollers 21 to the winding roller 22. The paddingelement thus produced being indicated at 23 desirably wound undersubstantial compression and remaining so wound untilit is desired toapply the covering 6 which is of desired width as compared to thepadding element to be wrapped therearound with its edges overlapping ashas been described.

The wrapping device is conventionally shown at 24 in Fig. 4 and aswrapping devices of this general type are known we have not described orillustrated it in detail but in Figs. 5, '6 and 7 we have illustratedthe successive steps in applying the wrapper to the padding element.

In applying the cover the padding element and wrapper 6 are guided'between the guide rollers 25 to superimpose the padding element uponthe wrapper 6 in inverted relation, that is, with the supporting strip 3on top of the .batt. With the wrapper partially wrapped around thepadding unit adhesive is discharged upon the inner of theoverlappingedges-by means of a nozzle 26,: see Figs. 4 and 6. After theadhesive is applied the overlapping edges .are brought together andpressed together by means'of guiding the pressure rolls 27 tothexwinding roll .28, the wound finished material being indicated at 29.

With this apparatus and method the pad units may be rapidly'andeconomically produced and asistated the product is desirablymerchandized in rolls.29 .to be cut into desired lengths for use.

The applicants are familiarwith therpaddingrrrraterial or filler stripsof the productofithe :SacknersPatent 1N0. 2,315,818, issued April 6,1943; That. filler strip when used as a padding for upholstery and the.like loses its resiliency or becomes compressed in use so thattheupholster becomes indented or loses its desired shape. The padding unitof our invention is a .very substantial :improvement over that fillerstrip ;or padding disclosed in the Sackner patent and permits theUSG'iOf material such as the batt being made up mainly of cotton:linters withsutlicient thread waste incorporated therein which servesto hold the linters together. The Outer: side of the batt strip havingthe bonding adhesive thereon with a wrapper wrapped around the batt andits supporting strip hold the linters in their uniformly distributedposition without destroying the resilience of the batt; However, otherpadding formed of other material may be used if desired.

We have not attempted to illustrate the application of our padding unitbut it is desired to point out that it is' highly desirable for paddingand upholstering the inner wall parts of automobiles, mattresses,edgings and the like.

Having thus described our invention, what is claimed as new and isdesired to be secured byLetters Patent is:

l. A padding unit comprising a garnetted strip-like batt ofapproximately 80% cotton linters and 20% thread waste, a batt supportingstrip of crinkled kraft paper of a width corresponding to the .width ofthe batt and disposed with the crinkles thereof extending transverselyof the batt and adhesively bonded to the inner side thereof, the outerside of the batt strip having a filament bonding adhesive thereon thebatt material being otherwise conformingly free, and .a wrapper ofcrinkled kraft paper wrapped transversely around said .batt.and itssaidsupporting strip with its crinkles disposed transversely thereof andwith the edges of the wrapper disposed in overlapping relation andbonded together .centrallyof said batt supporting strip and coactingtherewith to provide a reinforced substantially flat inner side for thepadding unit with the edges thereof curvedly conformed and the outerside thereof transversely curvedly crowned.

2. A padding unit comprising a garnetted strip-like batt ofapproximately 80% cotton linters and 20% thread waste, a batt supportingstrip of crinkled kraft paper of a width corresponding to the width ofthe batt and disposed with the crinkles thereof extending transverselyof the batt and adhesively bonded to the inner side thereof the battmaterial being otherwise conformingly free, and a wrapper wrappedtransversely around said batt and its said supporting strip with theedges of the wrapper disposed in overlapping relation and bondedtogether centrally of said batt supporting strip and coacting therewithto provide a reinforced substantially flat inner side for the paddingunit with the edges thereof curvedly conformed and the outer sidethereof transversely curvedly crowned.

3. A padding unit comprising a garnetted strip-like batt of a mixture ofcotton linters and strand-like material in which the linterssubstantially predominate in volume, a batt supporting strip of crinkledpaper disposed with the crinkles thereof extending transversely of thebatt and adhesively bonded to the inner side thereof the batt materialbeing otherwise conformingly free, and a wrapper of crinkled paperwrapped transversely-around 4. said batt and its said supporting stripwith its crinkles disposed transversely thereof andwith the edges of thewrapper disposed in overlapping relation and bonded together centrallyof said batt supporting strip.

4. A padding unit. comprising a garnetted strip-like batt of a mixtureof cotton linters and strand-like material in which the linterssubstantially prediominate in volume, a batt supporting strip ofcrinkled paper disposed with the crinkles thereof extending transverselyof the batt and adhesively bonded to the inner side thereof the battmaterial being otherwise conformingly free, and a wrapper wrapped aroundsaid batt and its said supporting strip with the edges of the wrapperdisposed in overlapping relation and bonded together centrally of saidbatt supporting strip.

5. A padding unit' comprising a garnetted strip-like batt of a mixtureof cotton linters and strand-like material in which the linterssubstantially predominate in volume, a batt supporting strip of crinkledpaper disposed with the crinkles thereof extending transversely of thebatt and adhesively bonded to the inner side thereof the batt materialbeing otherwise conformingly free, the outer side of the batt striphaving a filament bonding adhesive thereon, and a wrapper wrapped aroundsaid batt and its said supporting strip with the edges of the wrapperdisposed in overlapping relation and bonded together centrally of saidbatt supporting strip.

6. A padding unit comprising a resilient strip-like batt comprising asubstantially uniform mixture of cotton linters and strand-like materialin which the cotton linters predominate, a batt supporting strip ofcrinkled paper of a width approximately the width of thebatt anddisposed with the crinkles thereof transversely of the batt andadhesively bonded to one side thereof, the other side of the batt havinga filament bonding adhesive thereon, the batt material being otherwiseconformingly free, and a wrapper of crinkled paper wrapped transverselyaround said batt and its. said supporting strip withits crinklesdisposed transversely thereof and with the edges of the wrapper disposedin overlapping relation and bonded together.

7. A padding unit comprising superimposed padding elements, each elementcomprising an elongated striplike batt comprising a substantiallyuniform,mixture of cotton linters and strand-like material intermixedtherewith and in which the cotton linters predominate, the strand-likeelements being of such length and quantity as toconstitute bindingelements for the linters, a batt supporting strip of crinkled paper of awidth approximately that of the batt disposed with the crinkles thereoftransversely of the batt and adhesively bonded thereto, the other sideof the batt having a filament bonding adhesive thereon, the upper of thesuperimposed element being narrower than the lower and being disposedwith its supporting strip in superimposed relation to the batt of thelower element With both of its side edges in substantially spacedrelationto the side edges of the back on which it is superimposed, and awrapper wrapped transversely around the superimposed padding elementswith its edges disposed in overlapping relation on the under side of thesupporting strip of the lower element and bonded together, the paddingunit being transversely curvedly crowned.

8. A padding unit comprising superimposed padding elements, each elementcomprising an elongated striplike batt comprising a substantiallyuniform mixture of cotton linters and strand-like material intermixedthere with and in which the cotton linters predominate, the strand-likeelements being of such length and quantity as to constitute bindingelements for the linters, a batt supporting strip of crinkled paper of awidth approximately that of the batt disposed with the crinkles thereoftransversely of the batt and adhesively'bonded "thereto, the upper ofthe superimposed element being narrower than the lower and beingdisposed with its supporting stn'p in superimposed relation to the battof the lower element with both of its side edges in substantially spacedrelation to the side edges of the back on which it is superimposed, anda wrapper wrapped transversely around the superimposed padding elementswith its edges disposed in overlapping relation on the under side of thesupporting strip of the lower element and bonded together, the paddingunit being transversely curvedly crowned.

9. A padding unit comprising superimposed padding elements, each elementconsisting of an elongated striplike batt comprising a substantiallyuniform mixture of cotton linters and strand-like material intermixedtherewith and in which the cotton linters predominate, the

substantially spaced relation to the side edges of the back on which itis superimposed, and a wrapper wrapped transversely around thesuperimposed padding elements with its edges fixedly connected.

10. A padding unit comprising superimposed padding elements, eachelement consisting of an elongated striplike batt comprising asubstantially uniform mixture of cotton linters and strand-like materialintermixed therewith and in which the cotton linters predominate, thestrand-like elements being of such length and quantity as to constitutebinding elements for the linters, a flexible batt supporting strip of awidth approximately that of the batt disposed with the crinkles thereoftransversely of the batt and adhesively bonded thereto, the upper of thesuperimposed padding element being narrower than the lower and beingdisposed with its supporting strip in superimposed relation to the battof the lower element with both of its side edges in substantially spacedrelation to the side edges of the back on which it is superimposed, anda wrapper wrapped transversely around the superimposed padding elementswith its edges fixedly connected.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS915,094 Goodrick Mar. 16, 1909 1,573,599 Elliott Feb. 16, 1926 1,812,019Powell et a1. June 30, 1931 2,086,592 Williams July 13, 1937 2,164,702Davidson July 4, 1939 2,315,818 Sackner Apr. 6, 1943 2,370,365 MagillFeb. 27, 1945 2,373,033 Kopplin Apr. 3, 1945 2,584,693 Gerard Feb. 5,1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 777,529 France Dec. 5, 1934

1. A PADDING UNIT COMPRISING A GARNETTED STRIP-LIKE BATT OFAPPROXIMATELY 80% COTTON LINTERS AND 20% THREAD WASTE, A BATT SUPPORTINGSTRIP OF CRINKLED KRAFT PAPER OF A WIDTH CORRESPONDING TO THE WIDTH OFTHE BATT AND DISPOSED WITH THE CRINKLES THEREOF EXTENDING TRANSVERSELYOF THE BATT AND ADHESIVELY BONDED TO THE INNER SIDE THEREOF, THE OUTERSIDE OF THE BATT STRIP HAVING A FILAMENT BONDING ADHESIVE THEREON THEBATT MATERIAL BEING OTHERWISE CONFORMINGLY FREE, AND A WRAPPER OFCRANKLED KRAFT PAPER WRAPPED TRANSVERSELY AROUND SAID BATT AND ITS SAIDSUPPORTING STRIP WITH IT CRINKLES DISPOSED TRANSVERSELY THEREOF AND WITHTHE EDGES OF THE WRAPPER DISPOSED IN OVERLAPPING RELATION AND BONDTOGETHER CENTRALLY OF SAID BATT SUPPORTING STRIP AND COACTING THEREWITHTO PROVIDE A REINFORCE SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT INNER SIDE FOR THE PADDINGUNIT WITH THE EDGES THEREOF CURVEDLY CONFORMED AND THE OUTER SIDETHEREOF TRANSVERSELY CURVEDLY CROWNED.